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hillsborough road early learning centre

Webber Architects was engaged by Ripples Early Learning Centre to provide detailed design and construction documentation, and to assist in the Development Application process for the retrofit of an existing commercial building at Hillsborough Road Warners Bay. The new child care centre, located on a prominent arterial road, caters for 67 children and 13 staff and is locally independently owned and managed. The constrained site and existing building envelope were carefully considered to provide a design which maximised the feasibility of the centre while exceeding minimum national child care regulations, local council guidelines, and Australian building standards. The four indoor play rooms and two outdoor play spaces are linked by wide corridors and share a large 190 square metre ‘Rain Room’ which provides the opportunity for external activities to occur during inclement weather or sun protection times, setting the facility apart from similar centres. Three metre high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling shopfront glazing create a spacious aesthetic throughout. Efficiencies gained by locating service and wet areas together to serve multiple rooms aids supervision and reduces associated circulation area and construction cost. The outdoor space and carpark design utilises underground stormwater detention and reuse controls and the air conditioning within the building is zoned to play space and staff areas only to minimise the energy use of the facility. Webber Architects has received positive feedback from the facility owners regarding the functionality of the centre.